Background
Matthew Jewson is a neurodiverse theatre director, producer and practitioner with over twelve years of professional experience across Essex and East Anglia. His work centres on the belief that creativity drives meaningful change, with a practice grounded in collaboration, listening and creative support.
For five years, Matthew was the Creative Director of TWAS Theatre and has also served as Engagement Producer at the Mercury Theatre Colchester. Since 2012, Matthew has taught young people at the University Centre Colchester and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. He now focuses on championing dyslexic and neurodiverse artists, providing specialist support and advocacy within theatre.
The Story Behind Dyslexia and Me
Dyslexia & Me was a collaborative project for young neurodiverse people in Colchester and Tendring with dyslexia, offering a space to explore and take ownership of their identities in a creative way. The project encouraged participants to express their experiences on their own terms and to celebrate the strengths that come with thinking differently.
Led by neurodiverse facilitator and actor Frankie Power, the programme challenged common misconceptions about dyslexia through a series of reflective, hands‑on creative exercises. Participants experimented with drawing, painting, writing, and theatre, using these activities to explore how dyslexia shapes the way they learn, communicate, and navigate the world.
The sessions opened conversations about the challenges and barriers they may have faced, while also highlighting the creativity, resilience, and unique perspectives within the group. Over time, a strong sense of community emerged, transforming Dyslexia & Me into a platform for self‑expression and a celebration of neurodivergent identity.
Legacy
Overall, Dyslexia & Me established a meaningful legacy by capturing the voices of young people and emerging creatives, giving them agency over how their neurodivergence is represented and celebrated. A key outcome was the creation of an audio-based Creative Dyslexic Manifesto, developed collaboratively through workshops and reflective activities. This manifesto now stands as a durable resource that will continue to guide future development and support other creatives with similar lived experiences.
Participants, teachers, and specialist collaborators, which included dyslexia expert Deborah Groves and access reader Josh Smith, played a vital role in strengthening workshop materials and deepening the team’s understanding of individual needs. Insights gathered through the workshops highlighted clear opportunities to strengthen the direction of this work, particularly around support structures and progression pathways for dyslexic creatives. These findings are directly informing the next phase of the project, which will introduce one‑to‑one artist support, expand resource creation and contribute to the development of an arts organisation.
Testimonials
As part of the project, participants were asked what they want the world to know about their dyslexia. The following quotes were pulled directly from the manifesto:
From the School & Youth Workshop:
“You never live in fear, always be yourself”
“Dyslexia is not always a negative, no matter what there is always a way”
“There a so many positives to be dyslexic”
“Having dyslexia is a good thing it makes me who I am”
From the external adult workshop:
“I want the world to understand what we can experiences; it may not be seen but we can feel it.”
“I want the world to know that I am an individual and everyone’s experiences are unique. We deserve to be understood and respected.”
“I want the world to know if the system can make small changes, it can change our lives for the better and make us feel more seen.”
